EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. –The Vikings on Friday announced the signing of three rookies: defensive tackle Jalil Johnson, linebacker Ben Gedeon and guard Danny Isidora.
Johnson and Gedeon were fourth-round picks at No. 109 and No. 120 overall, respectively, and the Vikings used one of their fifth-round picks (180th overall) to snag Isidora.
An alum of the University of Iowa, Johnson redshirted in 2012 before playing in seven games as a reserve in 2013. Once again a reserve during his sophomore campaign, Johnson tallied 11 tackles, including 2.5 for loss. In 2015, Johnson stepped into a starting role and recorded 45 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and four sacks en route to honorable mention All-Big Ten honors.
Johnson turned heads as a senior for the Hawkeyes. He led the team with 10 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks and was named First-Team All-Conference.
Johnson finished his collegiate career with 112 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in 47 games. He is one of three former Hawkeyes on Minnesota's current roster, joining tackle Riley Reiff and kicker Marshall Koehn.
The Vikings were one of several teams who liked what they saw from Gedeon at the Senior Bowl in January, and he also impressed at the NFL Combine when he completed 27 reps of 225 pounds to lead all linebackers in the bench press.
Gedeon played in 51 games and started 14 at Michigan. Over his career, he totaled 176 tackles (80 solo), 21 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two pass breakups. He also contributed significantly on special teams.
As a full-time starter in 2016, Gedeon tallied 106 tackles (38 solo), 15.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two passes broken up. Following his senior campaign, Gedeon was named All-Big Ten Second-Team by media and Third Team by coaches.
The Vikings selected their second offensive lineman of the draft when they took Miami's Isidora off the board.
Isidora played 41 games in four seasons, serving as the Hurricanes starting right guard for the past three seasons when he opened 39 consecutive contests. Following his 2016 performance, Isidora was one of three guards to be voted Second-Team All-ACC.
Isidora helped a Miami offense that averaged 425.9 yards per game.
Isidora was a top performer in the 40-yard dash with a time of 5.03 seconds (fifth-fastest among offensive linemen), as well as in the bench press with 26 reps (tied for seventh-best among lineman) and in the vertical jump with a mark of 29 inches (seventh).
5 of the 11 members of the Vikings 2017 NFL Draft class have officially signed.
